Spring Valley Student Farm

2016

Application

Summer Student Farmer (Paid)

Farm Mission:

As an extension of the EcoHouse Living Learning Community, Spring Valley Student Farm (SVSF) provides students the opportunity to live and work together in a vibrant community focused on the common goal of healthy local food production. The sustainable farming experience grows not only vegetables and fruit but it grows the student as well. Through the diversity of the working group there is ample opportunity to learn from each other and from the land. While working at the farm the farmer will learn about sustainable growing methods and the business aspects of how food is harvested, processed and presented to the university dining community. As stewards and ambassadors of the farm the student farmers support SVSF as an educational destination where everyone may come together to learn and grow.The Summer Student Farmer position was created and is supported by the University of Connecticut’s Department of Dining Services. The Spring Valley Student Farm’s harvest is utilized specifically for the use of UConn Dining operations.The farm is located 4.5 miles off campus at 104 Spring Manor Road, Mansfield, CT, 06268.

Student Farmer (Hourly Paid) Benefits:

The Student Farmer position was created and is supported by the University of Connecticut’s Department of Dining Services. This classification is a seasonal part time, end dated, non-state position. This position provides the student farmer with a bi-weekly wage of $9.60/hour for 29 hours of work per week.

The paid student farmer is not required to live at the farm however living at the farm is encouraged. There is a separate application for living at the farm. Student Farmers who apply to live at SVSF and are accepted must contribute 10 volunteer hours per week in addition to their paid 29 hours. This volunteer work enables them to receive a significantly discounted room rate of $60/week including utilities at either Oak or Birch Cottage.

All fees for room will be billed and will be payable based on a deadline that is set for traditional university housing. Fees must be paid in full before the summer period during which the student will be residing at the farm.

Student Farmer (Hourly Paid) Responsibilities:

The hourly paid student farmer will be part of a production team. There will be a commitment of 29 hours per week of farm work beginningTuesday, May 10, 2016 through Thursday, August 25, 2016. Weekend work will be required with a minimum of 2 worked weekends per month. Unpaid time off is to be arranged at least two weeks in advance of requested time.

Daily duties will include, but not be limited to planting in field and green house, weeding, watering, beekeeping, smiling and laughing, following Good Agricultural Practices Standard Operating Procedures for harvesting, washing and sorting produce, packing, delivery, and record keeping. There will be opportunities to lead farm tours with a variety of age groups. Working one evening per week during the extended greater community volunteer eventswill be required.

Student Farmer (Hourly Paid) Qualifications:

This position is open only to students of the University of Connecticut who are currently enrolled full time for the fall 2016 semester. Previous volunteer time at Spring Valley Student Farm is highly considered during the selection process. Applicants must be physically capable of performing the strenuous physical labor necessary to do farm chores under a variety of climatic conditions. The student farmer needs to have a curious mind, the desire to do whatever it takes to get the produce to market, a sense of humor in the face of adversity, and a proven positive work ethic.

2016 SVSF Summer Student Farmer Application (Paid)

Please answer the following questions in a simple, but thoughtful, paragraph or two.

Name: PeopleSoft Student ID Number:Address:Phone:Email:Date of Birth:Semester Standing

  1. Please describe your volunteer experience at SVSF, if any, and recent applicable education and work experience.
  1. Please describe your experience with manual labor and/or farming (type of work, hours, duration). What is the hardest physical labor you’ve ever done?How will you handle the strenuous physical nature of farming?
  1. What does sustainability mean to you? What sustains you?
  2. Describe your experiences working and learning in a community. What experience have you had that will help to prepare you for being in a close-knit community, where everyone is expected to practice active tolerance and pull his or her own weight – both during the work day and beyond?How would you be a good member of our working and learning community?
  1. Please state three interesting things about yourself.
  2. Please describe other important details about yourself (include goals, aspirations, hobbies, personal activities, etc.)
  1. How will you utilize the knowledge, skills and experience you will gain at the farm in achieving your future goals?
  1. How do you envision the farm experience will improve your effectiveness in educating UConn students about sustainable agriculture and food systems? How do you plan to share your knowledge with the greater community?

Applications are due back no later than Monday, March 21, 2016

Return application to: Email